Marie Webster
Encyclopedia
Marie Daugherty Webster was a quilt designer, businesswoman, and the author of the first American
book about quilting
, Quilts, Their Story, and How to Make Them, originally published in 1915, and reprinted many times since.
The latest illustrated edition was published in 2009.
Webster was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame
in 1991. Her residence in Marion, Indiana
, USA, the Marie Webster House
, is now home of the Quilters' Hall of Fame and has been designated a National Historic Landmark
.
to Josiah and Minerva Daugherty. She married George Webster Jr. on Valentine's Day
of 1884. Although Webster learned the art of fine hand sewing from her mother during her childhood and was a favorite pastime of hers, she did not start designing quilts until she was in her 50s.
For most of her adult life, Webster lived in Marion, Indiana. Her husband died in 1938. In 1942, Webster relocated to Princeton, New Jersey
with her only child, Lawrence, and his family. She died in 1956 at the age of 97.
These qualities made them unique at the time.
She was inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement
of the early 1900s.
The Ladies Home Journal (LHJ) printed her designs Pink Rose, Iris, Snowflake, and Wind-blown Tulip in the January 1911 issue.
LHJ followed with Poppy, Morning Glory, White Dogwood, and Sunflower in the January 1912 issue.
The August 1912 LHJ carried her baby quilt designs Pansies and Butterflies, Sunbonnet Lassies (also known as Keepsake), Daisies, Wild Rose, Morning Glory Wreath, and Bedtime.
The Journal also asked her to write articles about quilts.
This exposure made her quilt patterns well-known and in high demand.
Quilts, Their Story and How to Make Them was published in October 1915 after Doubleday, Page & Co. hired Webster to research the history of quilting and pattern names.
It was the first book ever published on American quilting and was reprinted in 1916, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1943, 1948, and most recently in 2009.
After many requests for Webster's quilt patterns, she published a four-page pattern catalog entitled The New Patch-work Patterns.
She founded her own business, The Practical Patchwork Company in 1921.
The company consisted of Webster, her sister Emma, and friends Ida Hess and Evangeline Beshore.
They packaged patterns, instruction sheets, and fabric swatches and shipped them out to places throughout the United States.
The company also sold partially completed quilts.
For a time after the death of her husband in 1938, she did not create any new designs, and friends and associates ran the business.
in 1991. Her residence in Marion, Indiana
, USA, the Marie Webster House
, is now home of the Quilters' Hall of Fame and has been designated a National Historic Landmark
.
Her quilts are featured in museums around the world, in cities including Tokyo
and Indianapolis
. The Indianapolis Museum of Art
holds the largest collection of her quilts in the U.S.
Her book, along with two books of her patterns, have been re-published by one of her granddaughters, Rosalind Webster Perry. The 1990 edition includes a biography of Marie Webster, additional color photos, notes and a bibliography.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
book about quilting
Quilting
Quilting is a sewing method done to join two or more layers of material together to make a thicker padded material. A quilter is the name given to someone who works at quilting. Quilting can be done by hand, by sewing machine, or by a specialist longarm quilting system.The process of quilting uses...
, Quilts, Their Story, and How to Make Them, originally published in 1915, and reprinted many times since.
The latest illustrated edition was published in 2009.
Webster was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame
Quilters Hall of Fame
The Quilters Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the world of quilting....
in 1991. Her residence in Marion, Indiana
Marion, Indiana
Marion is a city in Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 29,948 as of the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Grant County...
, USA, the Marie Webster House
Marie Webster House
The Marie Webster House, also known as George Webster, Jr. and Marie Daugherty House, was the home of quilter Marie Webster in Marion, Indiana...
, is now home of the Quilters' Hall of Fame and has been designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Life
Marie Webster was born in Wabash, IndianaWabash, Indiana
Wabash is a city in Noble Township, Wabash County, Indiana, United States. The population was 10,666 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Wabash County....
to Josiah and Minerva Daugherty. She married George Webster Jr. on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
of 1884. Although Webster learned the art of fine hand sewing from her mother during her childhood and was a favorite pastime of hers, she did not start designing quilts until she was in her 50s.
For most of her adult life, Webster lived in Marion, Indiana. Her husband died in 1938. In 1942, Webster relocated to Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
with her only child, Lawrence, and his family. She died in 1956 at the age of 97.
Work
Marie designed dozens of quilts, and her patterns, all applique, are known for their beautiful, mostly floral designs, done in pastel colors.These qualities made them unique at the time.
She was inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
of the early 1900s.
The Ladies Home Journal (LHJ) printed her designs Pink Rose, Iris, Snowflake, and Wind-blown Tulip in the January 1911 issue.
LHJ followed with Poppy, Morning Glory, White Dogwood, and Sunflower in the January 1912 issue.
The August 1912 LHJ carried her baby quilt designs Pansies and Butterflies, Sunbonnet Lassies (also known as Keepsake), Daisies, Wild Rose, Morning Glory Wreath, and Bedtime.
The Journal also asked her to write articles about quilts.
This exposure made her quilt patterns well-known and in high demand.
Quilts, Their Story and How to Make Them was published in October 1915 after Doubleday, Page & Co. hired Webster to research the history of quilting and pattern names.
It was the first book ever published on American quilting and was reprinted in 1916, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1943, 1948, and most recently in 2009.
After many requests for Webster's quilt patterns, she published a four-page pattern catalog entitled The New Patch-work Patterns.
She founded her own business, The Practical Patchwork Company in 1921.
The company consisted of Webster, her sister Emma, and friends Ida Hess and Evangeline Beshore.
They packaged patterns, instruction sheets, and fabric swatches and shipped them out to places throughout the United States.
The company also sold partially completed quilts.
For a time after the death of her husband in 1938, she did not create any new designs, and friends and associates ran the business.
Legacy
Webster was inducted into the Quilters Hall of FameQuilters Hall of Fame
The Quilters Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the world of quilting....
in 1991. Her residence in Marion, Indiana
Marion, Indiana
Marion is a city in Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 29,948 as of the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Grant County...
, USA, the Marie Webster House
Marie Webster House
The Marie Webster House, also known as George Webster, Jr. and Marie Daugherty House, was the home of quilter Marie Webster in Marion, Indiana...
, is now home of the Quilters' Hall of Fame and has been designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
Her quilts are featured in museums around the world, in cities including Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. The Indianapolis Museum of Art
Indianapolis Museum of Art
The Indianapolis Museum of Art is an encyclopedic art museum located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum, which underwent a $74 million expansion in 2005, is located on a campus on the near northwest area outside downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery.The...
holds the largest collection of her quilts in the U.S.
Her book, along with two books of her patterns, have been re-published by one of her granddaughters, Rosalind Webster Perry. The 1990 edition includes a biography of Marie Webster, additional color photos, notes and a bibliography.